Switch



H. GERNSBACK Dec. 18, 1928.

SWITCH Filed Oct. 26, 1925 MIA/E5555 M u t m 6 WA 6 5 5 m n. 6 0 a Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

stares HUGO GERNSBACK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

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Application filed. October 26, 1925. Serial No. 64,980.

his invention appertains to electrical appliances and more particularly to a novel circuit closer of the snap type.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel switch which embodies a single body of insulation and which is so formed as to form an effective support for the spring contacts and bridge member.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means for arranging the spring contacts on the body of insulation and novel means for mounting the bridge member on said body of insulation and'for limiting the turning movement in one direction thereby insuring the correct position of the manipulating handle for the bridge member relative to an indicating name plate associated with the said body of insulation.

still further object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above character which will be of an exceptionally simple and durable construction and which can be manufactured and placed upon the market at an extremely low cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction,

arrangement and formation of parts, as

will be hereinafter more specifically de scribed, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of the novel switch,

Figure 2 is a transverse section through the same taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the improved switch.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved switch, which comprises I thus effectively bridge the circuit.

a body 5 formed of insulation, such as bakelite or the like. is of a substantial rectangular configuration and is of a suiiicient thickness for the purpose desired. At a point intermediate the ends of the body 5, the same is'provided with a bore 6, in which is secured an outwardly extending hub or sleeve 7 the outer fare of which is provided with external threads 8 for a purpose, which will be hereinafter more fully described. This hub or sleeve 7 projects forwardly from the front face of the body and the rear face of the body at the opposite end thereof is provided This body of insulation 5 v with rearwardly' projecting integral blocks Qand 10. It is to be noted that these blocks 9 and 10 are located on the opposite sides of the hub 7 andare provided with vertical bores 11 for a purpose, which will be here inafter more fully described.v The block 9 has fitted on'its lower face the inwardly projecting spring contact 12, while the block 10 has fitted on itsupper face the inwardly projecting spring contact 13. It thus can be seen that the spring contacts 12 and 13 project inwardly toward each other and terminate above and below the hub sleeve 7. These contacts are held in position by the use of suitable bolts la which extendthrough the contacts and through the bores 11 formed in the block 9 and 10. The bolts 14 can also 2 form terminal posts, if so desired, to permit the-connection ofthe electric wires, therewith. The lower spring contact 12 is provided adjacent to the terminal thereof with a struck up'tit 15 for a purpose, which will also be hereinafter merc fully described.

Rotatably mounted within the hub sleeve 6 is the switch shaft, 16 and the rear end of the switch shaft 16 has formed thereon or secured thereto a substantially se1ni-circular bridge piece or blade 17, which can be formed of brass or some other suitable elec trio conducting material. The lower arcuate face of the bridge piece 17 is provided with a notch 18 in which the tit 15 is adapted to normally spring so as to normally hold the bridge piece 17against turning movement when the switchis in its off position. It can be seen that the distance from one end of the switch or bridge piece 17 to the other end is of a greater distance than the distance between the contacts 12 and 13, so thatwhen the switch shaft 16 is rotated, the opposite ends of the bridge piece will spring into contact with thespring contacts 12 and 13 and In accordance with this invention the outer end of the switch shaft 16 is provided with a suitable manipulating crank handle 19 clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. A nut 20 of any desired form is provided for the switch and this nut is provided with a bore at its axial center for the reception of the external threads formed on the hub sleeve 7. A name plate 21 is provided for the switch and the same includes an upwardly porjecting section 22 which extends beyond the nut and which has suitableindicia thereon such as the words Off and On and it El J is thus obviousthat when the manipulating handle is in front of the word O'fi, that the circuit is open and that when the same is in front of the word On, that the circuit is closed. The name plate 21 is so treated as to present a pleasing appearance and add to the attractiveness of the switch.

In order to prevent the full rotation of-the shaft 16, and to normally hold the bridge piece 17 in a predetermined position, the block 9 is provided with an inwardly directed stop arm 23 which is disposed in the path of one end of said bridge piece. By this arrangement, it is to be noted that the bridge piece may only be rotated in one direction. It is to be noted that as the switch is turned to its on or off position, that the tit 15 formed on the lower spring contact- 12 will snap into and out of the notch 18 on the bridge piece 17 which will give a suitable sound to indi cats to the operator of the switch that the same is functioning properly. The hub sleeve 7 can be inserted through a suitable panel and the block 5 can be placed in engagement with the rear face of the panel while the nut 21 can be threaded into engagement withthe front face of the panel and owing to the nature thereof will add to the attractiveness of the apparatus with which the switch is associated.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention but,

lVhat I claim as new is:

1. A switch comprising a flat body of insulation, rearwardly projecting blocks having vertical bores therein formed on the rear face of the body at the opposite ends thereof, the body between said blocks being provided with an opening, a hub sleeve fitted in. said opening and projecting forwardly from the front face of the block, a shaft'rotatably mounted in said hub sleeve, and a manipulating crank at the front end of saidshaft, a semicircular shaped bridge piece carried by the inner end of the shaft, a contact spring secured to the upper face of one block and projecting inwardly therefrom and arranged at the front of said bridge piece, a second switch contact securec. to the lower face of the other block and extending inwardly therefrom, said last mentioned spring contact having an inwardly struck tit formed therein, the bridge piece having a. notch formed therein for the reception of said tit, and a name plate having an axial opening for receiving said hub sleeve provided with suitable indicia for cooperation with said manipulating crank.

2. A switch comprising a body of insulating material, a stop carried thereby, a pair of contact strips arranged in spaced relation on the body, one of said. strips being" provided with a hump, and a switch blade adjustably supported by the body to assume an active and inactive position, adapted when in an inactive position. to have a binding action with said hump and an abutting relation with said stop and when in active position bridging the distance between the contact strips and also abutting said stop.

A swi ch comprising an insulating body having a stop projecting therefrom, 

